Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:17 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his official visit to Scotland on 20 June 2001. [18635/01]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:18 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting in Scotland on 20 June 2001 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. John Reid. [18636/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I travelled to Scotland on 20 June for a one day official visit, which included engagements in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. During the visit, I met with the First Minister, Henry McLeish, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Helen Liddel, as well as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, John Reid.
I had the honour of being among the first non-Scots to address the Scottish Parliament. My address to a session with a very full attendance of Members and of the public, focused on the rich history of cultural and social links between Ireland and Scotland and the opportunities now emerging significantly to enhance our relationship in the context of devolution and the institutional arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement.
In Glasgow, I gave a keynote address at the economic seminar "Ireland and Scotland: Business Partners in the 21st Century" which highlighted the trade links between the two countries and showcased a number of successful businesses working in both markets. This seminar, which was attended by about 400 business people was also addressed by the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland. In my address, I stressed that while we greatly value the historical links between the two countries, our primary focus is on building the relationship between today's Ireland and today's Scotland.
After this event, the deputy chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Sir Angus Grossart, announced the repatriation to Ireland of a major painting of Daniel O'Connell by the renowned Scottish artist, David Wilkie. The painting is to be given on loan to the National Gallery of Ireland, before being put on permanent display in the Ulster Bank in O'Connell Street. Earlier in the day, I opened a new branch of the Bank of Ireland in Edinburgh, at a function which was also addressed by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Later in the afternoon, I unveiled a memorial in Carfin dedicated to the remembrance of all those forced to leave Ireland during the Great Famine. On the way to Carfin, I called in at the offices of the Archdiocese of Glasgow to pay my respects to the late Cardinal Winning, who was lying in State there.
The ceremony at Carfin was attended by a wide range of political leaders and representatives in Scotland and by Church leaders, including a representative of the Church of Scotland.
His expressions of regret at the reception in Scotland sometimes afforded to Irish immigrants of the famine era, and also at later sectarianism, were appreciated by those present, including a large number of the public of Irish descent. The event at Carfin was followed by a civic reception in Motherwell, hosted by the North Lanarkshire Council.
The visit proved very successful. In the light of the discussions which took place during my visit, I look forward to a significant strengthening of the relationship between Ireland and Scotland.
Questions Nos. 19 to 23, inclusive, resubmitted.